Stories from Sunday, December 25, 2005

There has been much discussion lately about Christmas and its place in our culture. Arguments have erupted over greetings -- should it be "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays" -- or what to call the tree decorated with lights and ornaments. Do kids depart from school for a winter break? Or is it the Christmas holiday? Last week, the pope weighed in, encouraging quiet contemplation rather than rampant commercialization...

HE SAID: A monster lives in my home while I'm at work. Not a dangerous monster like King Kong. No, this monster is more like the kind you'd find on Sesame Street. Cute. Talented. And somewhat lacking in adult discipline. You see, this monster likes making messes. ...

Editor's Note: The Southeast Missourian recently invited readers to write their own endings to a Christmas story we started. Here's the beginning of the story, along with our favorite three endings, provided by readers...

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Jason Bacashihua came within one shot of his first NHL shutout. He'll have to settle for his second win. Petr Cajanek scored the winning goal in the first extra round of the shootout to give the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night...

MIAMI -- There are two games on the NBA's Christmas lineup. One's a rematch of Detroit and San Antonio, league finalists a season ago who have the two best records this year. The other, in Shaquille O'Neal's estimation, is the game worth watching...

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Don't tell Steve Spurrier South Carolina doesn't have much at stake at the Independence Bowl. Despite Spurrier's historic season in his Gamecock debut, South Carolina's head bowl coach wants his team focused on what's still to achieve when it takes on Missouri in Friday's bowl...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The military agency dedicated to detecting any threats against the United States and Canada is marking the 50th year of reporting Santa's sleigh ride. With help from several civilian companies, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, operates a Web site reporting Santa's progress and answers calls and e-mails from people around the world. Last year, the tracking Web site at www.noradsanta.org received 912 million hits from 181 countries...

JACKSON, Miss. -- A National Guard training post with a rich history is also home to a museum where visitors can learn about military conflicts from the 19th century through the war in Iraq. The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby was dedicated in November to a retired general who helped establish the museum...

POWELL, Wyo. -- Advance bookings for winter trips into Yellowstone National Park through the park's East Entrance are up from last year, according to two tour business owners. Jon Sowerwine, owner of High Country Adventures, which offers snowcoach tours into the park via Sylvan Pass, estimated winter reservations are up 30 percent from this time last year...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission has reached an agreement with Mike Wurm, a top bass angler, to help promote the city to travelers. "We couldn't think of a more appropriate way to help spread the word about Hot Springs' reputation as a fishing destination than by having a true fishing legend like Mike Wurm represent the city in at least 20 professional tournaments in 15 states during 2006," commission director Steve Arrison said...

Westfield West Park was alive with shoppers on Saturday -- some shopping at the last minute and some just shopping for fun. "If traffic is an indicator of sales on the upward swing this year, then we're looking good," said mall manager Paul Dobbins...

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- Todd Ondell knew there would be more than fruit and nuts in one of the holiday baskets he packed this year for the Downtown Rotary, and now he knows he was right. The business owner lost his gold wedding band as he was packaging one of the group's 240 holiday baskets Dec. 12...

Perched above the stoplights in a few Missouri towns, cameras record automobiles that run through intersections after the lights change to red. A few days later, the owners of those cars receive a citation. The cameras in Arnold, Florissant and Springfield would have to come down if State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, succeeds in passing a bill he proposed for the upcoming legislative session...

"Daddy, this isn't fun anymore. Can I go play now?" These words from my then-4-year-old daughter ripped open my tender heart like a bow breaking on the tillering board. We had been shooting her bow, and I decided she was ready for some form correction. Rather than deciding on one basic skill I mentioned them all: the left arm bend, anchor point, nock point, feet placement, posture ... everything in the quiver. No wonder she wanted to stop...

To the editor: When our third branch of government removed the Bible from schools, our preachers said let's go along to get along. When our third branch removed prayer from schools, our preachers said let's go along to get along. When our third branch said abortion was legal because it could not say when life began, our preachers said let's go along to get along. ...

Creative potential and comfortable familiarity are offered by this week's showcase home. Nestled in the developing subdivision of Ashland Courts, the high vaulted ceilings through the center of the ranch-style home create breathing space for gatherings in the connected living room and dining room/kitchen...

A Cape Girardeau Christmas Story Editor's Note: The Southeast Missourian needs your help in finding the perfect ending to this year's Christmas story. You decide what happens to Santa Claus, Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer gang during their stop in Cape Girardeau...

It is a simple story, but the birth in a stable some 2,000 years ago changed the world. On this Christmas Eve, the story is told again from the Holy Bible (the Gospel according to St. Luke, Chapter 2): And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one unto his own city...

To the editor: As "The Ringer," Bobby and Peter Farrelly's latest comedy, hits theaters, audiences will enjoy the trademark humor so often seen in a Farrelly brothers film. More importantly, they will see how Special Olympics changed one man's life. It's a story that is carried out every day in Missouri on and off the playing fields for the athletes and volunteers of Special Olympics...

Time for impeachments; Protect our liberties; Truman's advice; Spying on foreigners; Sidewalk benefits; Secure our borders

Caroline Sue Brown, 57, of Jackson died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 29, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Hobert and Leona Mary Brugger Brown. Miss Brown attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and was a graduate of Jackson High School. She attended Southeast Missouri State University, and received a master's degree in art therapy from the University of Louisville...

Gary and Linda Koch of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Cassie Leigh Koch, to Aaron Michael Panton. He is the son of Rick and Kim Panton of Whitefield, N.H. Koch is a 1999 graduate of Central High School, and received a bachelor of science degree in child development from Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at Community Counseling Center...

Glen and Julia Harter of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Breanna Jean Harter, to Alvaro Munoz. He is the son of Arturo and Francisca Munoz of Altamont, Tenn. Harter is a 1999 graduate of Notre Dame High School. She is employed in the surgery department at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

Sunni Ray Thorne and Dennis Lee Meyers Jr. were married Aug. 20, 2005. The Rev. Ann Mowery performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Becky Thorne of Jackson, and the late Don Thorne. The groom is the son of Dennis Meyers Sr. and Launa Rae Warinner of Bailey, Colo., and Joyce and Richard Rowley of Aurora, Colo...

Whitney Paige Wessell and Jared Jonathan Dewrock were married Aug. 20, 2005, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville. Organist was Pat Palisch and soloist was Debbie Martin. The bride is the daughter of Beth Wessell of Cape Girardeau and Mark and Linda Wessell of Gordonville. Danny and Ann Dewrock of Cape Girardeau are parents of the groom...

April D. Matlock and Charles W. Meyer were united in marriage Oct. 1, 2005, at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville. Gary Hoffstetter performed the ceremony. Music was provided by Pat Palisch. Parents of the bride are Gary and Patty Matlock of Gordonville. The groom is the son of Linda Meyer-Brewer of Frohna, Mo., and the late Robert Meyer...

Christy Lee Thoma and Kyle David Eggers exchanged vows Oct. 8, 2005, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Perryville, Mo. The Rev. Kevin Fausz performed the ceremony. Readers were Calvin Eggers, uncle of the groom, and Carol Thomas, aunt of the bride. The offertory was taken by Sheila Bodenschatz and Fred Eggers, godparents of the groom. ...

First Presbyterian Church was the setting Oct. 15, 2005, for the wedding of Lauren Fletcher Hirschburg and David Benjamin Nall. The Rev. Paul Kabo Jr. performed the ceremony. Organist was Dr. Gary Miller of Cape Girardeau. Soloists were Alison Oslund of St. Louis, sister of the groom; Bruce Nall of St. Louis, father of the groom; and Chris Nall of Cape Girardeau, cousin of the groom...

Sarah Michelle Marie Wilson and Ryan David Austin exchanged vows Nov. 12, 2005, at Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Travis Austin of Auckland, New Zealand, brother of the groom, performed the ceremony. Reader was Matthew Wilson of Cape Girardeau, brother of the bride. Music was by Chris Wilson of Scott City...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Sally Gribler, 74, of Perryville died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville. She was born Aug. 14, 1931, in Baltimore, Md., daughter of Conrad and Garnett Street Freburger. She and Edward Ben Gribler were married on Jan. 28, 1949, in Baltimore. He died Oct. 23, 2004...

ANNA, Ill. --Herbert L. "Rags" Ragsdale, 76, of Anna died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at his home. He was born May 26, 1929, in Buncombe, Ill., son of Herbert and Dora Escue Ragsdale. Ragsdale was retired after 30 years of service with CIPS-Ameren. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro and the IBEW Local 702 in West Frankfort, Ill...

A Perryville, Mo., teenager received severe injuries Saturday afternoon in a one-vehicle accident. Jessica Zoellner, 16, was taken by ambulance to Perry County Hospital when the car she was driving skidded off the roadway and overturned. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on Route B, north of Interstate 55, in Perry County...

A Cape Girardeau teenager suffered severe injuries Saturday morning when she lost control of the car she was driving. Ashley Whitehouse, 19, was taken by helicopter to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis from injuries she received while traveling northbound on Route W in Jefferson County ...

Cape Girardeau...

To the editor: Last week you ran an article about the Jackson High School Special Services marionette production of "Jack and the Beanstalk." Thank you for the wonderful spotlight. It is necessary to make some further acknowledgments. The presentation could not have been made without the patience and support of the special services staff. ...

The bells from Salvation Army volunteers quit ringing Saturday afternoon as totals were figured from the organization's donation kettles. Donations totaled more than $252,000, said Maj. Michael Thomas of the Salvation Army. While donation totals are approximately $10,000 less than last year, Thomas said he expects to reach this year's goal of $265,000 by the end of next week...

Stanley and Pamela Johnson of Gordonville announce the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Kathleen Johnson, to Bradley Scott Biri. He is the son of Michael and Diane Biri of Jackson. Johnson is a 2001 graduate of Jackson High School, and received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2005. She is a substitute teacher with Woodland and Jackson school districts...

Gary and Diane Laurentius of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Marie Laurentius, to Paul James Hudson of Chaffee, Mo. He is the son of the late Eloise Daniels of Odessa, Texas. Laurentius is a 2003 graduate of Jackson High School, and is majoring in social work at Southeast Missouri State University...

KELSO, Mo. -- Ron and Patty Bradshaw of Kelso announce the engagement of their daughter, Geri Bradshaw, to Steven LeGrand of Chaffee, Mo. He is the son of Bill and Teresa LeGrand of Kelso. Bradshaw expects to graduate in May 2006 from the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- Doug Schreiner of Perryville, Mo., and Martin and Rhonda Conrad of Sedgewickville announce the engagement of their daughter, Deanna Schreiner, to Joshua Clinard, both of Litchfield, Ill. He is the son of Bill and Robin Clinard of Hillsboro, Ill...

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Clay Dockery of Cape Girardeau observed their 25th anniversary Dec. 22, 2005. Dockery and Patricia Ann Flye were married Dec. 22, 1980, in Jackson. Their children and spouses are: Ricky (Stacy) Flye, Quenita (J.B.) Flye-Sadler, Anitra Flye and Ombra Dockery, all of Cape Girardeau...

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Skelton of Gordonville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner Nov. 19, 2005, at Mollies Cafe and Bar in Cape Girardeau. Skelton and Cadidad Sosa Roca were married Nov. 19, 1955, in the chapel at Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico...

25 years ago: Dec. 25, 1980 A Christmas Day Festival Service is held at Trinity Lutheran Church in the morning with the celebration of Holy Communion; speaker is the Rev. Paul H. Jilg, pastor; his theme is "The Challenges of Christmas." The Jackson Jaycees' annual Bundle of Joy project was a success this year; 42 families with 115 youngsters were given food baskets...

Entertained fans I THOUGHT the Notre Dame dance team did a wonderful job at both Friday's and Saturday's games. I want to thank them for all the hard work, dedication and sacrifices they make to give their fans such amazing performances. Glory days gone...

HAZARD, Ky. -- For Lyle Snider, the view from Kentucky 80 is breathtaking, but not in a good way. Parked on the side of the four-lane highway, the New Hampshire native watches a mountain disappear bit by bit at the hands of miners using explosives and giant earth-moving machines...

Homeowners looking for a more efficient way to heat portions of their home may find the answer resting at their feet. Radiant floor heating warms a space from the ground up. This is welcome news to tootsies -- and can also save on energy bills. There are two predominant radiant heat methods. One option pumps heated water through a matrix of pipes. This works fine, but the water is heated by natural gas and may be expensive to install...

Most Southeast Missouri State University students go home over Christmas break leaving behind a nearly deserted campus. But some of the school's international students stay on campus or in local apartments with friends during the month-long holiday break...

ST. LOUIS -- A traditionally Polish parish at odds with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis expected a large turnout for its Christmas Eve Mass, the first to be celebrated by a new pastor who risked excommunication to become the church's first leader in more than a year...

VATICAN CITY -- Pilgrims, tourists and Romans flocked to St. Peter's Square on Saturday for Pope Benedict XVI's first Christmas service since becoming pontiff, the start of his busy holiday celebrations. In a brief appearance hours before the Midnight Mass, Benedict lit a candle in his studio window overlooking the square. He was keeping up the tradition of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, by delivering a silent Christmas Eve blessing to the faithful below...

It has been a year since the tsunami laid waste to the isolated Indonesian province of Aceh, but tens of thousands of people still live in a vast archipelago of shanty towns made of scrap wood spit back by the sea. Along the coast, towns and villages remain nothing but swampland and ankle-high rubble. In plywood barracks hurriedly built across the region, survivors are jammed together in windowless rooms...

MOSUL, Iraq -- In a festively bedecked dining hall, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld served Christmas Eve dinner to dozens of U.S. soldiers, then fed them his view -- with a mix of optimism, caution and emotion -- of why the war that has cost more than 2,150 U.S. ...

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Saundra Blankenship watched the endless array of gloomy images of the displaced people of New Orleans who had lost everything. "I saw that people were dying from this disaster and it was unbelievable," said Blankenship, of Benton, Mo. "They were calling those that didn't die refugees and evacuees, right here in America. I just couldn't stay home and not help."...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's leading Shiite religious bloc on Saturday condemned protests by Sunni Arab and secular groups claiming that parliamentary elections were fraudulent, and it rejected calls for a new ballot. Officials with the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance said preliminary results showing them with a clear lead in the Dec. 15 elections reflected the will of the people...

The Mingo National Wildlife Refuge again will host the annual managed deer hunt on the weekend of Jan. 6 through 8. The managed deer hunt is a primitive weapon (muzzleloader) hunt that registers 135 hunters, including five persons with disabilities. This hunt is hosted by the refuge with hunter-draw registration and licensing processes sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation...

The nightmares won't let Lachia Rodriguez forget. She's been to counseling, even tried medication. But the images of bloated bodies, rape and rising water creep back into her consciousness, especially at night. A year ago today, Rodriguez was with her family in New Orleans, watching her children and grandchildren open gifts, eating a home-cooked holiday meal...

MILWAUKEE -- Last December, Jeanna Giese spent Christmas in the hospital, unable to speak or walk as she suffered from the effects of rabies. This year, the 16-year-old is celebrating her improbable survival at home with her family. The teenager, who is the world's only known unvaccinated human rabies survivor, is regaining her ability to walk and talk. She has returned to school, and has plans to return to the volleyball team next year...

Murray Daughter to Angelo Murray and Chenecia Shawdlne Aldridge of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:38 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005. Name, Damiya Murray. Weight, 6 pounds, 6 ounces. Second son. Ms. Aldridge is the daughter of Hilda Webb of Cape Girardeau. Murray is the son of Mary McCain of Sikeston, Mo...

Ten days before Christmas 1965, as a distant war was intensifying and the city of New Orleans was slowly recovering from a hurricane's devastation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration got an early holiday present: astronauts Walter M. "Wally" Schirra Jr. and Thomas P. Stafford, aboard Gemini 6, rendezvoused in space with Gemini 7, piloted by Frank Borman and Jim Lovell...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- Thousands of tourists flocked to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations Saturday, bringing a long-missing sense of holiday cheer to Jesus' historic birthplace. The festivities capped the most peaceful year since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in September 2000. But Israel's imposing separation barrier at the entrance to town dampened the Christmas spirit and provided a stark reminder of the unresolved conflict...

Some quick notes on the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament: Cinderella stars The bottom five seeds in the 61st annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament have their work cut out for them in their first-round games, but some standout players will try to spearhead upset bids and entertain fans:...

Here's a question for homeowners about to rebuild along the hurricane-shattered Gulf Coast. Why rebuild with standard materials at risk to get swept away when the next storm blows through with a vengeance? A superior storm-hardy solution might be insulating concrete forms. These reinforced concrete walls can give homeowners a fighting chance when hurricanes muscle a path through Southern states...

ST. LOUIS -- So who needs Reggie Bush? The San Francisco 49ers got a pair of big runs from backups in a victory over the St. Louis Rams. Frank Gore scored the deciding touchdown on a 30-yard run with 4:05 to go, and seldom-used Maurice Hicks scored untouched on a 73-yarder on the game's first snap in a 24-20 comeback victory over the sagging St. Louis Rams on Saturday...

The Aggies ranked high in graduation rates in addition to having two of the school's few recent winning seasons. Prior to Wednesday, Southeast Missouri State had had two head football coaches since moving up to Division I-AA in 1991. Both John Mumford and Tim Billings teased local fans with one winning season before they ultimately faltered and were shown the door...

Winning three straight championships has only been done four times in the 60 years of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. Charleston, this year's top seed, won four titles from 1982 to 1985 and three from 1991 to 1993. Oran (1964 to 1966) and now defunct Morehouse (1952 to 1954) are the other two teams to do it...

Charleston, Jackson, Bell City and Central make up the top four seeds for the 61st Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament this week at the Show Me Center. Among those four teams are four of the most talented and most highly recruited boys basketball players in Southeast Missouri...